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For Women: Take This Risk to Heart

Heart disease is the top killer of women. The majority of women between the ages of 40 and 60 have at least one risk factor for the disease. But many do not realize it. They also don't know about the sometimes subtle signals of a heart attack.

Why the disconnect? In general, heart disease has been perceived as an older person's disease that need not concern women until menopause. For years, women also thought hormone therapy (HT) would protect them from heart trouble. But heart attacks can and do occur at any age. Plus, we now know that HT may actually raise the risk for heart disease.

A common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which affects the blood vessels of your heart. Heart disease also includes atherosclerosis, or the thickening and hardening of your arteries, as well as stroke and heart failure. The groundwork for heart disease can start in your 20s.

Risk factors

Risk factors for heart disease can be divided into those that suggest a major risk and those that lead to an increased risk. Major risk factors are:

High blood pressure

High blood cholesterol

Diabetes

Obesity or being overweight

Smoking

Physical inactivity

Heredity

Age

Factors that could lead to an increased risk include stress and excessive alcohol consumption. For women, that means more than 1 drink a day.

Starting at age 20, women should know their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. One red flag is a high level of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which clogs arteries, and a low level of HDL ("good") cholesterol, which clears arteries.

Knowing your risk factors is vital. The more risk factors you have and the worse they are the greater your risk for heart disease. Once you know your risk factors, you can learn whether you're at high, intermediate, or low risk for heart disease. Then you can set goals and work with your health care provider to reach them.

Lifestyle changes

The following lifestyle changes will put you on the path to a heart-healthy life.

Trim saturated fat and salt from your menu. When you can, trade butter for canola or olive oil. Swap red meat for seafood, a good source of omega-3 fats that help reduce triglycerides, clotting, and blood pressure.

Move more. Exercising at a moderate to high intensity for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week, can lower your blood pressure. It can also strengthen your heart, decrease stress, and lower weight.

Quit smoking. Smoking is the most common risk factor for women. It triples your heart attack risk. It may take a few tries to quit. You may need to address your addiction by using a patch or chewing gum. You may also need to change your behavior. For example, try munching on a carrot when cravings strike.

De-stress daily. Visit a friend. Light candles and listen to mood music. Take a yoga class. Putting yourself on your "to do" list and finding ways to defuse stress will help slow your breathing and heart rate, as you lower your blood pressure.

Heed these symptoms

If you have to sit down after you clear the dishes, a heart attack could be in your near future.

Unshakable fatigue and sleeplessness appear to be early warning signs of a woman's heart attack. Other symptoms include:

Shortness of breath (very common in women)

Nausea

Uncomfortable chest pressure (instead of chest pain, which is a more typical symptom for men, although it may still occur in women)

Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, or arms

If you have these symptoms, especially if they last more than 5 minutes, call 911.